So you've become or are about to come a proud resident of mighty Leeds - hats off to you! If you haven't already realised, we love this city and hope you do too! To help you explore your new terrain, we've put together a list of our top things to do, see, eat, drink and visit. This list is in no way complete as Leeds is renowned for new openings and pop up somethings so always be on the look out!
Things to do
Get on down to a gig (or just a cheap drink & a pie) at Brudenell Social Club
Tee off with added weirdness at Junkyard Golf Club
Escape to the rainforest at Tropical World by Roundhay Park
Visit the home of gaming from ping pong and pool tables to shuffleboard at Roxy Ball Room
Catch a show at Leeds Grand, Opera North or Northern Ballet - there's so many to choose from! Sign up for Under 30's at Opera North and you'll get tickets for as little as £10.
Shop until you drop at Trinity and Victoria Gate. Be sure to see if there's student discount with your NUS TOTUM card! One of our favourite spaces in Leeds is Grade II* listed former church building, Left Bank Leeds. Offering exhibitions, yoga, choir, free co-working space and afternoon teas - the list goes on! Oh and you may recognise Left Bank from our smashing summer balls.
Things to eat & drink:
You will flock here in your masses, Belgrave Music Hall & Canteen. We fully recommend a half price slice from Dough Boys - if you know, you know. Don't forget Belgrave's sister hang outs, Headrow House and Waterlane Boat House. A firm favourite of ours, just up the road and has some of the best exhibitions, events and live music that you will love; it's the one and only Hyde Park Book Club. Run by a workers' co-op in partnership with a members club, Wharf Chambers brings together communities from across Leeds. You'll see inclusive events for music, art, film, politics and discussion and an amazing party for Leeds Pride. The. Best. Indian. Street. Food. Ever: Bundobust. All vegetarian, vegan and incredible. Okra fries are a must with any dish! Wap-en-take (n), besides being divided into three Ridings, East, North and West; Yorkshire was further sub-divided into administrative areas called Wapentakes. Wapentake brings you amazing coffee, cakes and hearty food for your very own 'little piece of Yorkshire’.
Things to look at:
Six galleries of history and intrigue makes for an amazing, FREE day out at Leeds City Museum! The perfect cultural escape on a rainy day in Yorkshire, they have everything from Fossils to Greek Gods and Tigers to Mummies. Harewood House was built in the 18th century and has art collections to rival the finest in Britain. You can tour the house, the grounds, enjoy a sandwich in the cafe or visit the resident penguins and flamingoes that live there! Temple Newsam is another stunning, historical, Yorkshire home. Roam the rose gardens, enjoy a picnic amongst the 1,500 acres of parkland or spend some time feeding the piglets. Venture into the house itself to uncover the stories and scandals of the people who have lived there. The Henry Moore Institute offers a year-round changing programme of historical, modern and contemporary exhibitions presenting sculpture from across the world.
Further a field:
The Hepworth, Wakefield established for it's namesake Barbara Hepworth, presents major exhibitions of the best international modern and contemporary art and has dedicated galleries exploring Hepworth’s art and working process. Salts Mill, Saltaire is a gigantic grade II* listed former textile mill in the heart of Saltaire. Home to a changing programme of art galleries - including a large collection of David Hockney original works - cafes, restaurants and shops that offer homeware, books and jewellery. Get yourself to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park to wander amongst artworks from world-class sculptors in the open air of the 500 acre, 18th-century Bretton Hall estate. Yorkshire isn't called 'God's Country' for nothing! Ilkley Moor or Otley Chevin are both great starting points for a wonderful walk out into open country. Take in the majestic Yorkshire countryside and stop for a pint in one of the local pubs you pass on the way! The National Science and Media Museum in Bradford is an amazing way to explore the science and culture of light and sound technologies and their impact on our lives. Sitting in the piazza style Piece Hall, Halifax on a sunny day, you'd be forgiven for thinking you were in Italy! Take in the splendour of this enormous, 18th Century building and wander through the myriad of independent shops and craft stalls.
Other things to look out for:
In Leeds, we've got festivals a-plenty! Here's the few we could remember so get in touch if there's any we have forgotten! Leeds Fest Leeds International Festival Leeds International Film Festival Thought Bubble Transform Festival Made In Leeds Leeds Pride Leeds West Indian Festival Hyde Park Unity Day